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Roch,
Are you laughing about all the talk on Schmuck's blog? Cause I am. We offered 9 yrs, 225 million? There's also talk on Orioles Hangout that there is an imposed midnight deadline on whether we'll be eliminated from the Tex sweepstakes or not. Put me out of my misery now. I agree with the potential Coste trade. I played catcher in little league and am still young at 25, think you can put in a call to Andy Mac for me?
Caruso

Roch,
Are the O's still looking at Greg Zaun. I would love to see him sign with us! He always killed us when he played against us

Coste is probably the best catcher the Orioles could get at this point. He'd definitely be an upgrade over Razor Ramon.

Coste can flat out hit; not known for his defense. I'd be happy to have both Zaun and Coste to prep the way for Weiters.

Hey Roch thanks for all this hot stove info especially the Teixeira talk which in my mind has become a whole level worse than the Roberts-Cubs talks from last year. I mean this has just become bad with a new "rumor" everyday that totally goes against the previous day's rumor, I salute you for not going crazy yet

Roch- A big talking point in O's land is Nolan Reimold. Many think he could be a true 30+ HR guy in the bigs. I have heard that the Warehouse thinks his main problem is, he is a really slow starter. This is also the how I interpret Macphails and Trembleys comments on kid. He needs to get a lot of ABs at Spring Training so that he can get to his gtoove and show what he is like.
Last year, if you take out the first 15 games, he is a 318 hitter with 25 HR.
Look at what he did in the Fall. He started 1-23 right? Then exploded.
Markakis was about a game away from getting sent down if you remember. These guys need lots of playing time early and a lot of patience.
I also think that Liz was about to turn the corner. His last 3 starts were very good after getting called back up.

Roch- Nobody points this out either, TEX and Weiters are switch hitters. Now, Late in a game, how do you match up with a 4 and 5 hitter that are switchies?
The O's will have on of the Best line-ups in the game. Maybe the best depending on what happens in LF.

Why stop with a Little League catcher?

We need 4 starting pitchers as well.

Interesting story, very interesting offensive numbers. Maybe this is the catcher that the FO said was on nobody's radar a while back.
I've thought all along that if Wieters pushes his way onto the team out of spring training, or in May/June, that the club may need to carry 3 catchers (including Matt). The thought process being that if Matt's bat is forcing its way into the lineup he can do some DH'ing. Of course you can't really use a catcher as DH if you only have two. Too bad Freel couldn't be the next Jaime Quirk (or Fahey the next Lenn Sakata).

He went to a small college in Minnesota ? He has my vote, sign him up. Why is he on the trading block anyway ?

What about Pudge? I heard his name thrown out there as a free agent. Chris Coste sounds like a better option though.

Ummm... a big no to Coste!! What are we trading away?? If it's Fahey I'm on board!! But I really wrote because I've been having visions of Ben sheets as an O. Jump on the bandwagon!!!

Roch- The national media in some cities is saying that the ORIOLES have not even been spoken to about Texiera from Boras since the Winter Meetings when they made their offer.
Can you research this Roch? If that is the case, then, I mean.
And Macphail has not even called Boras to see if they can set up a meeting or what the position is?
I have a strange feeling that all of this is true and it is finally coming out. Schmucks article friday night was amazing. Best one in years.
No wonder the national media doesn't include our names, we are not even taken seriously.
Thats pathetic. We might as well make October - April 60 days long in Baltimore and forget the summer.

I'm surprised the O's are looking into someone who's numbers are this good. They must be getting desperate.

I saw Teixeira at the mall last night. He says nobody has given him what he really wants -- he's hoping to give up being a field player and become a pitcher and then sign with the Blue Jays.

I think the O's just want to find two or more guys that can call a game and throw and any hitting will be a plus...seems kinda weird for a catcher to want to come to Baltimore...knowing that if it is more than 1 brought in .....he will probably be cut or sent to the minors as soon as the O's decide Weiters is ready to come up....leaving just one catcher to stay with the big club...strange....signing with the O's would just be temporary for all of them but that one...doesn't sound very inticing to me...

A catcher that hits .288. That would be novel.

Roch,

Take a look over at ESPN's MLB page current poll question.

The question is "Would you want your favorite team to give Mark Teixera a ten year contract?"

Every other state (and the rest of the world) but Maryland says no.

As of 830am, Maryland is 55% yes to 45% no.

Roch, any word if we are in talks with Gregg Zaun?
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Yes. Not everybody in the warehouse is sold on him, but yes. - Roch

Can we just sign Zaun already? He seems like a no-brainer.

Roch,

Since Matt Weiters is a high profile Georgia Tech guy like Teixeira, do you think the 2 of them have been talking over the last few weeks about contract negotiations? Is Andy MacPhail possibly talking to Weiters to see where the O's stand? Could this be why there were some rumors a week ago about how the Orioles front office was "comfortably confident" that they would get Tex? Can you call or text Weiters to find out anything?

Thanks...keep up the good work.

I guess Coste isn't as hot a topic. I'll comment since it seems everyone else is having a Tex hang over. I like Coste. He's a fine catcher, but I'd really like to get Greg Zaun. Again, there's a "hometown" connection.

Zaun wants to be here. He loves this town, and of course, Dempsey is family. From what I hear, Zaun has the right attitude and is willing to close his career down here, while helping the young guy behind him. That seems like a perfect fit.

Zaun also has a decent bat with a little power.

I caught the Hot Stove show last night and was PLEASED to hear Luke's feeling good. How many times did he mention God, though? Not as many as we thought he would. haha!! Still, though, I look forward to watching him have a great year. And I was also real happy hearing Freel talk. He seems genuinely happy/excited to be here and playing in the best division in baseball.

I'd like to hear that same kind of enthusiasm from that other player we're trying to get. What was his name again? No, not Erickson, that 1b from LAA...

Roch- I LOVE YOU MAN!!! Let me tell you, Melewski summed it up perfectly...."It will hurt the most if he signs with Boston, it'll look the worst if he signs with the Nats".

I couldn't think of a way to say it, but that is it.
If the O's don't want to give their fans this 1 thing in 11 years, (all 11 years will vanish if we sign Tex, for us die hards, and at the turnstiles)
then that is crappy. There have been some rumors that Boras has not even talked to the O's since the Winter Meetings. Any creedance to that theory you think?

The catching situation will eventually work itself out with Wieter's coming through the system, what we need is starting pitching. Roch why don't the O's go after Oliver Perez? I believe he is still a free agent and he is a young lefty, and you can not have enough of those kind of players. Also anything new with Kenshin and Uuhera?

ROCH- Can you tell everyone to stop bugging me, I'm thinking. Hold on....Scott wants me to tell you something..... he wants me to say that the Red Sox offer has increased, in a cross promotional effort with the Pats, they are offering 250 over 10 and a weekend of debauchery with Giselle Bunchen courtesy of my new neighbor Tom.

So the O's trade for Coste and then cut him when Wieters comes up. What is the big deal. Just another COST cutting move a major league team.

Has anyone noticed that CC Sabathia will be paid more BEFORE Opening Day than the entire O's rotation will be paid all season (CC gets $9 million in bonuses)?

And it's not even close. Unless MacPhail spends a bucket of money soon, the entire O's rotation will "earn" roughly $5 million next year.

This team is being reduced to a level not seen in MLB. It's really getting ridiculous.

WHERE IS ALL OF THE MONEY GOING? It's not being spent on MLB players, that's for certain.

The "plan" is to hope that a bunch of (cheap) minor league pitchers arrive, all at once, and immediately perform at a high level??? Seriously?

Why can't the majority of our fans learn the correct way to spell Wieters? It is not Weiters!!!!!!

Roch,
A little off topic, however, I wanted to get your opinion on the growing list of MLB players unwilling to play for the U.S. I'm not talking about players choosing to play for another country, just the ones that would play for the U.S. but, chose not to. Personally, I have a hard time respecting their decision, they aren't being asked to go to war or anything... B.S.!!!

Hey John from Germany, the reason Coste is available is because the Phils acquired Paulino from the Pirates last week. This should make Coste expendable and pretty cheap too. Probally a low level or most likely cash. Hey Roch, maybe we take the cash from the Bradford trade and turn it over to Philly and Coste can be the player to be named so everyone can stop bugging you about it.

Roch,
What about bringing back Sal Fasano!! I loved when he was here! Stand up guy, readers digest had a great story on him!! He is a gamer!!! Please comment on thoughts. Not to shabby in any aspect of the game!! My opinion, he is at least as good as Zaun, no steroids ever!!

How can you go wrong with a guy like this?
Jeff Pearlman of ESPN.com said of Fasano: "When I think of Sal Fasano, however, I think of greatness. Not of Willie Mays or Ted Williams greatness, but of a uniquely excellent human being who, were class and decency the most valued standards of a career, would be the easiest Hall of Fame inductee of all time." [1]

If I were the O's GM for a day, I would grant an interview (to Roch of course) and tell the fans that I am committed to signing Roberts and Markakis to long-term deals and acquiring three quality starting pitchers by January 15th.

B-Rob and Nick are the future of the organization, and more importantly, they are here.

I would also immediately and publicly increase the Tex offer to a final version of 8 years, $180 million with a blanket no-trade clause, but no opt-out clause. If 8/180 doesn't get him here, he was never willing to sign here anyway. Forget Boras, I would call Tex's bluff. He's the one signing the commission check.

Man, what a difference a day could make...

Best case scenario
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Teixeira
Huff
Mora
Scott
Izturis
Zaun

Guthrie
Wolf
Looper
Odalis Perez
Liz

Wieters comes up in May

Roch,
If there is a genuine interest in Baltimore, and the moneys right. Why can't they just make the deal. OR if there is a larger interest in winning now and Boston/Anaheim are where he wants to be. I just don't get how it can take so damn long. Call me impatient but if I was Teixeira I would have caved in atleast a week and a half ago.

Odalis Perez and Looper are two inexpensive guys who had good era's last year. I don't see why the Orioles aren't going after those guys, and that would also fill two slots for next year.

Hey Roch,

Any news on the starting pitching front? I can't remember where I read everything, but I know Fox had one out there saying sources say the Mets are pushing for Redding. Any news on him?

How about Kawakami, who I heard may be demanding Kuroda-like money, which I assume would therefore put the O's out on that one?
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Sorry to keep you waiting. You're hearing correctly. Mets are interested in Redding. So are the Orioles and Nationals, who want to re-sign him, but for less than the $3 million he probably would have made without being non-tendered. And there's talk that Kawakami - I'm trusting your spelling because I don't feel like looking it up - wants too much money. But the Orioles definitely have been talking to his agent. - Roch

A highly reliable source just told me the O's are in talks with Andy Etcheberon.......

Man, the O's are still looking at catchers? Damn my luck, what with being tall, left handed and able to throw in the high 90's with 2 curves and a sinker.....

Just MY luck that I am not what the O's are looking for!

Merry Christmas Roch!

All of these people who are putting up farcical 2009 lineups need to stop. We aren't signing Teixeira. We aren't signing pitchers who are gonna require more than 3 year deals at over 7 mill per year.

In order to take steps forward it is required to take steps back. This season is going to be horrible. It is going to be a huge step back. But in a few years we will look at this season and realize this is when Markakis became a star, Jones found his offensive rhythm, Wieters got his first taste of the big leagues, and some of our young pitchers performed better than expected.

It would be a mistake to go out and sign individuals that will not help this franchise in the long run. We are not at the "plug-stop" stage at all. We need to get away from signing any major free agents, and we need to trade Roberts or Huff, or anyone with value if we really are going to compete for a long time. Attendance is going to lousy regardless. It's time Angelos stops these games and gives the go ahead to initiate a true re-building process.

I want Mark Teixeira as an oriole badly!! But wow you can not argue against this letter from a Boston fan directed at the whole situation!!

Mr. Henry,

Let me start off my introducing myself. I am a fan of the Boston Red Sox organization, long before anyone called themselves a member of Red Sox Nation. I'm not old enough to remember Bucky Dent, but I can promise you I hate Aaron Boone just as much. I am a historian, following and revering the teams of the past as much as I do the teams of the present. Finally, I wanted to write you a letter to say two words I doubt you hear enough, "thank you."

You saved this franchise. I'm not talking about your efforts to keep the team in Boston, and Fenway Park nonetheless, revitalizing the fan base, and constantly discovering new sources of revenue to keep the team competitive and profitable. I'm referring to your recent declaration of the team's pursuit of Mark Teixeira, or moving forward, its lack thereof. I'm sure part of your decision was a financial one, being the owner during these economic times, it would be tough to stomach committing $180+ million dollars over the next 10 years of uncertainty. However, take a moment and let me explain what it means to the me, a voice of the fans and an admirer of all things baseball.

First, you stood up to Scott Boras. Scott Boras! Not even the Yankees could do that. Last year, when they gave A-Rod the "opt out and you're gone ultimatum," Boras had his prize player opt out anyway, and then the Yankees bid against themselves to retain the third baseman. When he tried to snooker more funds from the bottom of your pockets, you politely said no thanks and walked away. Then, you had the intestinal fortitude to publically announce it so he couldn't use you or your organization as leverage against any of the other teams.

Second, you've made a line in the sand and I hope for the sake of all things right you continue to stand behind it. We were one Teixeira signing away from becoming the New York Yankees. Sir, we have a first baseman, with MVP-level talent, already on the team. Our third baseman was a World Series MVP two years ago and a clubhouse glue that oozes with professionalism. What do you think Teixeira would have done to the chemistry of this team?

By all accounts, Mark Teixeira appears to be a good guy. Bringing him in, regardless of his ability and fellowship, would have divided the locker room immediately. There would have been supporters, especially in the front office, who embraced Teixeira immediately. However, there would have been a group of loyal players suddenly hurt and seething in the background. Not every starter can handle a demotion as classy as Coco Crisp. We caught lightning in a bottle last year with that situation, and lightning doesn't strike twice.

Youk may have been offended that, at 29, the team didn't trust he could carry them in his prime. Lowell, who may be traded after the signing, would have caused a lot of veteran players to second guess signing for a hometown discount with Boston in the future. You can't just acquire the best player available every year and expect to win. That's how you end up like the Dallas Cowboys, 13 Pro Bowlers and struggling to make the playoffs. Or the Yankees, who haven't won a world championship since 2000, when they abandoned their farm system for free agency. Or even the LA Lakers, who had a team with four future Hall of Famers in 2004 but got swept in the NBA Finals by a team without a single superstar.

Chemistry, Mr. Henry, can overcome a lack of talent. Look at our 2004 team, do you really think that was the most talented team in the 86 years prior to it? Do you think we won that year because we had the players with the least amount of flaws? Johnny Damon throws like a girl, Mark Bellhorn had 177 strikeouts that year, 177! Let's not forget, even the 2008 team had Eric Gagne on it.

You've created an "us versus them" mentality on this team. Writers, bloggers, and talking heads across the country are going to be talking about every other team that made a splash this offseason, especially the Yankees. Meanwhile, our team is going to continue to grow as a team, and tire of listening to stories anointing the Yankees as champs in 2009. Remember the Detroit Tigers around this time last year? Exactly.

Look, I'm not saying we're the USA heading to Lack Placid, but we are going to underdogs in our own division next year. I think that's exactly the way we want it. As an organization, the Red Sox have returned to what makes them so special in the first place, loyalty to the players, chemistry in the clubhouse, and an underdog approach to everything. We've shed the Manny Ramirez superstar mentality and have embraced the Dustin Pedroia prove you wrong approach. I couldn't be any happier as a fan of this team; so thank you, Mr. Henry, for making me so proud!

I'm not good at ending letters, so I'll leave you with a quote. I remember reading it on one of the walls in my elementary school, and for whatever reason, it has stuck with me throughout my entire life. I feel it sums up the decision you made in regards to Mark Teixeira and Scott Boras, at least how the mainstream media and pink-hatters will feel about it.

"What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular."

Thanks again,

Ryne Crabb
Fire Brand of the American League

"Yes. Not everybody in the warehouse is sold on him, but yes." - Roch

Roch, when you, or anyone else with access to people in the warehouse, it makes it seem that the FO is not unified in its decision making. Do you ever hear from the horse's mouth directly? Also, what would it matter if there isn't unison on a particular player if only one person is making the decisions? I'm just curious how these decisions get made.
Thank you.
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Andy is calling the shots, but he seeks imput from his executives. There are pros and cons with Zaun, like pretty much any player. - Roch

Roch, A lot of your readers are suggesting various lineups for 2009. Most, if not all, have Brian Robers leading off (assuming he's still here), Adam Jones, batting second, Nick Markakis batting third, and either Aubrey Huff or Mark Teixeira batting fourth (depending on who Tex signs with, of course). Would you keep Jones and Markakis in that order? Would you switch them? Would you have someone else in one of those two spots?
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I have Mora second, Markakis third, Huff fourth and perhaps Jones fifth ahead of Luke Scott to break up the left-handed bats. - Roch

I think it will be tough to find an experienced catcher that will agree to play every day for a couple of months, then play only 1-2 days a week after Wieters is promoted. The best option may be to just open the season with Wieters as the starting catcher. -- Tim

Khris Koste will make you jump jump

(sorry, couldn't resist!)

Roch,

I wish this team would be bought up by some Dubai or Russian tycoon worth billions of dollars for whom the cost of payroll is couch change and far smaller than their boyish ego. The Yanks and Red Sox would actually be scared if the O's were bought by some Roman Abravomich (sp.?) type who would do to Baltimore what he did for Chelsea in the Premier League.

Face it, to compete with the big guys, we need more cash.

There are only so many teams in the Premier League for sale. Its only a matter of time before these egotistical oligarchs look for another global game to control and play with. I think this would be good for baseball. Angelos should market at least a minority share to one of these guys. Let's see Hank, John Henry and the Angels owner try to compete for players against the oil wealth of Russia or the Middle East.

Chris Coste is a world f'n champion. Y

Coste would be an outstanding pick up. He singularly saved the Phils several times. In 07 after replacing Fasano he caught Hamels, Moyer, and Lieber in the second half of the season and almost got the Phils to post season. In 08 he replaced Barajas and was key to getting the Phils into post season by throwing out Jose Reyes trying to steal third in a mid September game. Reyes never stole another base the rest of the season and the Mets were done. This season he played the full season and the World Series championship resulted. What else can the guy do! When they called up their catcher of the future Lou Marson at the end of the season and into post season, he praised Coste in learning the naunces of ML catching from him: http://blogs.app.com/blueclaws/2008/10/

Who or what would the Orioles give up for Chris Coste exactly? I'm sure the Phillies wouldn't just give him away.